Lowering options

[Mr.F]

Things to measure / check are free length, number of coils and wire diameter. Springs with small diameter use very different rates to springs of standard diameter so no easy comparison there.

 

[johnymd]

I was thinking more on the lines of strut measurements and not even looking at the springs. So, Total body length and spring perch height were the 2 main things that concern me. In particular the difference between them. Just so there is a definitive for example: take a US strut and move the perch up 2" and you have a UK strut to use your springs on.

 

[Fairlineguy]

Here is how my American spec car looks now with just a set of MF front springs fitted.
Didn't end up fitting the rears as I like the slightly higher rear stance .

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

you're car looks wonderful

 

[johnymd]

That ride height is pretty much perfect, as is the car.

 

[bluejon]

I'd love to get the front of mine lower but not sure where to start. I would need assistance from someone knowledgeable in such things ... it runs on adjustables already. An old make called Mulholland I think from paperwork

 

[johnymd]

By adjustables, do you mean dampers or Spring platforms? If it's the latter then just wind the platform down a bit. Take some measurement first though so you adjust both sides the same. You will probably have to reset your tracking as well after lowering.

 

[bluejon]

By adjustables, do you mean dampers or Spring platforms? If it's the latter then just wind the platform down a bit. Take some measurement first though so you adjust both sides the same. You will probably have to reset your tracking as well after lowering.

I believe it is damper adjustment ... an adjusting screw on the top mount.

 

[Red7]

Cracking write up, mines a little on the high side, will look into lowering a little over the winter

 

[nospark]

Fairlineguy's orange car looks spot on. But from a visual point of view are we looking at two factors ? First, the hight of the car off the road, covered by the spring/damper issues discussed here. Second, how the wheel/tyre diameter fills the wheel arch. Is a larger wheel/tyre diameter also important in achieving the visual effect ? And what is the relationship of extra spring stiffness and damping needed to accommodate larger wheel/tyre diameter without potential rubbing (if any) ?
(I ask not because I am making points but because I don't know)

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Some people have narrow profile tyres and want the arch filled, that's only possible with large diameter wheels.

What size wheels are on the lovely orange car above? Also tyres?

 

[Fairlineguy]

Should have mentioned in my post.
My Orange car is running Konig Rewind 15x7 with Toyo 205/55x15 tyres

 

[toopy]

Should have mentioned in my post.
My Orange car is running Konig Rewind 15x7 with Toyo 205/55x15 tyres

Agreed the car looks perfect on that combo of wheel and tyre, i thought tho to maintain the original rolling diameter of the tyre, you should have a 205/60x15 or even 205/65x15 to meet the standard 195/70x14 tyre? atleast iv'e always thought that was the standard UK size
In which case the gap between arch and tyre would then maybe be too close, not a criticism, i think your car looks great as is, just a heads up for those making tyre choices against standard

http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.ph...heel_size=15&wheel_width=7&offset2=0#isPage=1

 

[johnymd]

Had a measure of uk and US standard front struts and the only visual difference is the spring perch on the US strut is welded on at out an inch or just under lower as seen in the photo below. So if you fit uk lowering springs it should drop the car a bit more with US struts.

 

[johnymd]

Here is a comparison of an unsectioned adjustable platform strut compared to a Leda modified strut. The length has been reduced by just over 50mm.

 

[tel240z]

while we are on the subject careful cutting grinding and heat treating the bottom of the spring and some (from memory) vw shock inserts that go further into the tube when under compression give results like this wheels are 8.25 x 15 and 225 50 15 tyres

 

[Garaculas]

Thanks johnymd, really useful thread! Does anyone know the price on the intrax setups? Looks as though they come with the all the lower bits on aswell which is nice but no sign of price on their website...

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Thanks johnymd, really useful thread! Does anyone know the price on the intrax setups? Looks as though they come with the all the lower bits on aswell which is nice but no sign of price on their website...

about 3000 euro with vat for an upper mid setup.

 

[johnymd]

I've started looking at this subject again and in particular s13 conversions. From what I gather the fronts are pretty easy and its just like any of the other weld on setups. Cut your strut tube off and leave and inch or so sticking out. Weld on the front s13 setup. Rears will be OK if the lower section of the strut is steel but from what I understand most are ali so you cant weld them to the stub of the strut.

Has anyone seen or have links to a successful installation?

I've just bought a really cheap set of BC's to have a play with and see if I can get it to work.

 

[johnymd]

To continue with the above. I ended up just buying the bottom weld on sleeves from a UK company that BC recommended. Their service was superb and they had the parts in stock for next day delivery. It sounds like all the strut sections are similar and you just get different bottom sections depending on the car.